Syphilis In Women

Syphilis is classified as a sexually-transmitted disease that is caused by a bacterium known as Treponema Pallidum. It can affect both men and women and is usually transmitted via sexual contact.

Women who are infected with syphilis manifest several signs and symptoms of the disease. They undergo four stages of syphilis which consist of various symptoms and characteristics.

Primary Stage

The first stage is called primary syphilis and it is characterized by the appearance of a highly contagious sore called “chancre.” A chancre is small and hard but painless. It appears on the area of the body where the bacterium has entered. It can last for as long as five weeks and will heal after that.

Secondary Stage

The secondary stage of syphilis is called secondary syphilis. It is characterized by the appearance of a rash on the infected area of the skin. It is not itchy and may last for up to 10 weeks. Spots all over the body are also very common, especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

The second half of secondary syphilis is characterized by more symptoms such as weight loss, hair loss, sore throat, genital warts, swollen glands, headaches, acne breakout, and skin lesions.

Third Stage

The third stage of syphilis is called latent syphilis. When a woman who is infected with syphilis reaches this stage, she will not show any visible symptoms. The syphilis bacterium now attacks the internal organs and will result to paralysis, blindness, impotence, tumors, knee joint fractures, or dementia.

Final Stage

The final stage of syphilis consists of more severe symptoms and complications in the body. Women who are in this stage may be very difficult to treat as the bacterium already wreaked so much havoc.

Syphilis Tests

It is extremely important to get tested for syphilis before it reaches the later stages of the infection. There are several different ways to get tested for syphilis and some of them are enumerated below:

Syphilis blood testing

Swab test

Rapid Plasma Reagin Test or RPR Test

Lumbar Puncture Test

Syphilis Antibody Evaluation Test

Cerebrospinal Fluid Test

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory Test

Undergoing a syphilis test before it caused more harm to your body is a smart thing to do. There is no reason to wait to get a syphilis test. As soon as you notice any one of the symptoms mentioned earlier, you have to consult your doctor immediately and get a syphilis test right away.